Getting Settled
Asynchronous Session
Scale Translation - a Need for Psychological Humanities in Migrant Mental Health Research View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Nathalie Sochurek
This paper considers the need for mixed methodologies and interdisciplinary cooperation in migrant mental-health research, focusing on second-generation migrants. It is based on research investigating scale translation and adaptation within the context of a doctoral thesis on the mental health of migrants in Germany. The “Bicultural self-efficacy” scale (BSES, David et al., 2009) was translated and adapted for usage in German-speaking regions. This process included six (6) phases: permission from the author, forward translation, synthesis, expert evaluation, focus group feedback, and back translation. The final version of the BSES, as well as the German translation of the short-form version of the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scales (DASS-21, Nilges et Essau, 2015), were administered to a non-clinical sample of second-generation migrants in Germany, with a heterogeneous cultural background. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) of the BSES showed incorrect factor loadings despite stringent adherence to scale translation guidelines. Rendering the translated BSES unusable for determining BSES in German-speaking migrants. Furthermore, EFA and Confirmatory factor analysis found shortcomings in the three-factor structure of the previously validated German DASS-21. These findings have led to the need to adapt the validated DASS-21 and BSES scales before being able to utilize both in further quantitative research on migrant populations in Germany. First, the paper problematizes current practices in international research pertaining to the use of psychometric scales. Second, a broader discussion follows on the role of the psychological humanities in providing researchers with the tools for tackling shortcomings in international or cross-cultural psychological research.
Exploring Integration of Young Ukrainian Refugee Experiences in the Norwegian Job Market : A Qualitative Study in Sola Municipality, Norway View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Hirosha Kalupe
This research endeavors to provide a comprehensive examination of the challenges and opportunities encountered by young Ukrainian refugees in accessing the Norwegian job market. Employing qualitative research methodology, with a primary focus on semi-ethnography as the principal data collection tool, the study was conducted within the Sola municipality of Stavanger, involving a total of 15 participants, comprising six males and nine females. Analysis of the research findings reveals significant hurdles faced by young Ukrainian refugees, prominently including the lack of proficiency in both the Norwegian and English languages. Furthermore, the diversity of Norwegian dialects further compounds their linguistic challenges. Additionally, the complexities associated with recognizing their educational backgrounds and professional experiences within the Norwegian education system, hindering their pursuit of higher education in Norwegian higher education institutes. However, there is prevailing uncertainty about their legal status in Norway, coupled with a lack of motivation in job seeking and skill development. The implications of this research are manifold. Firstly, the findings and recommendations can serve to enhance the effectiveness of municipality integration programs geared toward facilitating refugee labor integration. Moreover, policy practitioners can utilize the research findings to formulate more informed and targeted integration policies. Additionally, this research contributes to the refugee integration literature, addressing a timely topic in migration studies research. Lastly, the refugees themselves stand to benefit from the insights gleaned from this research, gaining a better understanding of their circumstances and available opportunities within Norwegian society.
Examining Social Capital and Emigration Patterns Among Highly Educated Individuals: A Provincial Analysis in Italy View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Iacopo Odoardi
Internal migration represents a historically significant phenomenon in Italy. In recent decades, this phenomenon has increasingly taken the form of selective migration. Indeed, there is a clear increase in the proportion of highly qualified individuals who tend to leave less prosperous areas of the country to concentrate in the wealthier and more dynamic provinces. In this regard, we analyze the determinants of the emigration of graduates from the 103 Italian provinces, considering the period from 2004 to 2016, using a GMM model. In particular, we focus our analysis on the role of so-called social capital rooted in the migrants' area of origin, as an element capable of influencing relocation choices between provinces by affecting aspects related to the quality of life (e.g., relationships with the parental or the broader social network). The empirical analysis takes into account other possible causes of migration, such as the economic background that influences living conditions and future prospects.
Migration after the Collapse of the Indus Valley Civilization View Digital Media
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session Bharat Jhunjhunwala
The Indus Valley Civilization (IVC) existed from 3000 to 1500 BCE. The River Hakra along which the eastern half of the civilization was located went dry between 2000 and 1500 BCE. This led to migration of those people southward to Peninsular India, Eastward to the Ganges Basin and Westward to Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq and Israel. These people carried the culture of the Indus Valley with them to these places. The Tamil language in Peninsular India appears to have its origins in the IVC. The Yadava Community of the Eastern Ganges Basin claims it has origins in the Indus Valley duly supported by genetic studies. The Zoroastrian and Biblical religions in the west have many cultural parallels with the IVC. This paper focuses on the last of these migrations i.e., the westward migrations and explores the cultural parallels between the IVC and Zoroastrian and Biblical religions. The exploration considers religious practices, archaeological finds, language borrowings, ethnographic evidence and more. We seek to understand whether and to what extent the Zoroastrian and Biblical religions may have borrowed from the IVC.
